Frudden has unfinished business at state meetPrep Profile
By Jon Klinkowitz
Iowa City Press-Citizen
When Julia Frudden struggled to finish 80th at last year's state cross country meet, she knew something wasn't right.
How could someone who took sixth place as a sophomore and was the little sister of state champion Jeni Frudden fall so so
quickly?
"It was really mentally defeating," the West High senior said. "I kept trying to push myself in races. After state I got a
blood test, and I found I was right."
Frudden learned that she was anemic, just like her older sister. Now, after a year of taking iron supplements twice a day,
she's regained her form. She was second at last week's district meet and is ready to help the top-ranked Women of Troy at
Saturday's state meet in Fort Dodge.
She said she's gained strength through last year's adversity.
"It was one of my worst phases, and it helped me a lot," she said. "It taught me a good lesson. I was going to show people
that state in 2003 wasn't me."
Frudden is hoping to follow her sister to college on an athletic scholarship, though not necessarily to Michigan.
"I've been thinking about North Carolina at Chapel Hill for a while," she said. "I've been thinking about mostly places far
away. I'm ready to get out of Iowa."
Julia Frudden is this week's Prep Profile:
What annoys me: People making poor choices.
My biggest asset to the team is: Motivating other people.
My most prized possession is: My running shoes.
My superstitions are: Before races I listen to a specific CD. It's got some Tom Petty.
Best sports experience: Winning state my freshman year with my sister.
Three words that describe me: Outgoing, determined, funny.
Dream profession: Senator.
Dream car: Jeep Liberty.
Craziest ambition: To run the Boston Marathon.
People say I look like: Jeni Frudden.
Person I most admire is: My sister.
My team/personal goals for the season are: As a team, winning state as a team and going on to team nationals in Oregon in
December.
If I had one million dollars I would: Buy a castle in Europe.
Favorite pro or college runner: Allison Felix.
My favorite --
Class: A.P. Government.
Food: Fried rice.
Cereal: Special-K.
Color: Blue.
Movie: "Old School."
TV show: "Friends."
Music: Queen.
Book: "It's Not About the Bike: My Journey back to Life," by Lance Armstrong.
Actor: Will Ferrell.
Actress: Julia Roberts.
One final random thought (words to live by): Deep down you know what you want and where to go, and exactly how to get there.